3d printer having dual stage structure

ABSTRACT

A 3D printer has a dual stage structure and includes: a frame; an extrusion unit having a nozzle configured to extrude a raw material; a stacking base unit positioned under the extrusion unit and configured to receive the raw material on a surface thereof so that an object is formed in a layer-by-layer manner on the surface; and a cutting unit positioned between the stacking base unit and the extrusion unit and configured to grind or cut the object formed on the surface of the stacking base unit, wherein the frame is configured to be connected to outer sides of the stacking base unit, the extrusion unit, and the cutting unit, the stacking base unit and the cutting unit are configured to be vertically movable along the frame, and the nozzle is configured to be movable on a plane.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2015-0008761, filed on Jan. 19, 2015, Korean Patent Application No.10-2015-0020296, filed on Feb. 10, 2015, and Korean Patent ApplicationNo. 10-2015-0054503, filed on Apr. 17, 2015, with the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

One or more exemplary embodiments relate to a 3D printer having a dualstage structure, and more particularly, to a 3D printer having a dualstage structure including an extrusion unit and a cutting unit that aredisposed above a stacking base unit with a variable distance between theextrusion unit and the cutting unit and a variable distance between thecutting unit and the stacking base unit so that a cutting or grindingoperation may be simultaneously performed with a layering operation.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, 3D printers have been used in various fields and are highlyconsidered for many applications. In the past one or two years, 3Dprinters have become very popular in Korea and available for purchase atshops such as Internet shopping malls. In other countries, 3D printersare even referred to as the new industrial revolution printers due tothe ripple effect thereof and much attention has been given thereto.

Although the technology for 3D printers has been rapidly developed, itis still difficult to precisely form objects into desired shapes byusing such 3D printers. Also, the speed of these 3D printers relativelylow. Since 3D printers create objects in a layer-by-layer manner byusing a raw material, stair-shaped portions are usually formed betweenlayers of the objects, and thus, additional cutting or grindingprocesses may be necessary to remove the stair-shaped portions.

Therefore, after the objects are formed in a layer-by-layer manner byusing a raw material, a cutting process is generally performed as aseparate process. In this case, additional time and costs are incurred.Therefore, 3D printer capable of creating an object in a layer-by-layermanner and simultaneously performing a cutting process on the object isneeded.

RELATED ART DOCUMENT [Patent Document] Korean Patent ApplicationLaid-open Publication No.: 10-2014-0036285 SUMMARY

One or more exemplary embodiments include a 3D printer having a dualstage structure including an extrusion unit and a cutting unit that aredisposed above a stacking base unit with a variable distance between theextrusion unit and the cutting unit and a variable distance between thecutting unit and the stacking base unit so that a cutting or grindingoperation may be simultaneously performed with a layering operation.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented embodiments.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a 3D printer having adual stage structure includes: an extrusion unit configured to extrude araw material; a stacking base unit positioned under the extrusion unitand configured to receive the raw material on an upper surface thereofso that an object is formed on the upper surface of the stacking baseunit in a layer-by-layer manner; and a cutting unit between the stackingbase unit and the extrusion unit and configured to grind or cut theobject formed on the upper surface of the stacking base unit, wherein adistance between the extrusion unit and the cutting unit and a distancebetween the cutting unit and the stacking base unit are variablerelative to each other.

The 3D printer may further include a frame positioned outside theextrusion unit, the cutting unit, and the stacking base unit, whereinthe frame may extend vertically and may be configured to be connected toone or more of the extrusion unit, the cutting unit, and the stackingbase unit, and the one or more of the extrusion unit, the cutting unit,and the stacking base unit may be configured to be vertically movablealong the frame.

The frame may include a plurality of vertically-extending main guidebeams, main guide rails may be respectively formed on inner sides of themain guide beams, and main guide parts may be configured to berespectively connected to the main guide rails to be positioned on outerportions of the one or more of the extrusion unit, the cutting unit, andthe stacking base unit, wherein the one or more of the extrusion unit,the cutting unit, and the stacking base unit may be configured to bevertically movable along the main guide rails.

The frame may further include: an outer frame including a plurality ofouter guide beams arranged in a circular shape; and a rotatable frameincluding one or more rotatable guide beams arranged inside a circleformed by the outer guide beams, wherein the cutting unit may beconfigured to be connected to an inner side of the rotatable frame, therotatable guide beams may be configured to extend vertically such thatthe cutting unit may be vertically movable along the rotatable guidebeams, and the rotatable frame may be configured to be rotatable insidethe outer frame around a center of the circle formed by the outer guidebeams such that the cutting unit may be movable.

The rotatable frame may further include a ring-shaped connection partconfigured to be connected to lower portions of the rotatable guidebeams and to be concentric with the circle formed by the outer guidebeams, the outer frame may further include a cylindrical connection partconfigured to connect lower portions of the outer guide beams and to beinserted into the ring-shaped connection part, and the ring-shapedconnection part may be configured to be rotatable on the cylindricalconnection part to rotate the rotatable frame.

The stacking base unit may include a height adjusting device positionedon the cylindrical connection part under the stacking base unit and theheight adjusting device may be configured to modify a height of thestacking base unit.

The stacking base unit may include: a first jig having a certain area;and a bed positioned on top of the first jig and configured to toreceive the raw material extruded from the extrusion unit, wherein aplurality of support holes may be formed in the bed.

The bed may include first to third build plates that have certain areasand are sequentially stacked, the first to third build plates mayinclude first to third support holes, respectively, and the first tothird build plates may be configured to be individually movable in ahorizontal direction to align or misalign the first to third supportholes in a vertical direction.

The 3D printer may further include a height adjusting device on a lowerportion of the first jig and configured to vertically move the firstjig.

The height adjusting device may have a variable vertical length so as tovertically move the first jig and the bed.

First main guide parts may be positioned on outer portions of the firstjig and may be connected to the main guide rails such that the first jigmay be vertically movable along the main guide rails.

The extrusion unit may include: a second jig connected to the frame andincluding a space therein; and an extrusion device positioned in thespace, wherein the second jig may include a first guide beam positionedin the space and configured to extend in at least one direction, theextrusion device may include a second guide beam configured to beconnected to the first guide beam and extend in a directionperpendicular to the first guide beam, the second guide beam beingmovable along the first guide beam in the direction in which the firstguide extends, and a nozzle may be connected to the second guide beamand movable along the second guide beam in the direction in which thesecond guide beam extends.

The second jig may further include third main guide parts configured tobe connected to the main guide rails such that the second jig may bemovable along the main guide rails.

The cutting unit may include: a third jig including second main guideparts and having a space therein, the second main guide parts beingformed on outer portions of the third jig and being configured to beconnected to the main guide rails such that the third jig may bevertically movable along the main guide rails; a cutting devicepositioned in the space of the third jig; and a connection unitconfigured to connect the third jig and the cutting device, wherein theconnection unit may include one or more legs having a variable structuresuch that the cutting device may be movable in the space of the thirdjig.

The third jig may further include an inner guide rail formed along aninner circumference of the third jig, the connection unit may furtherinclude an inner guide part configured to be connected to the innerguide rail and movable along the inner guide rail, the one or more legsmay be configured to be connected to the inner guide part, and thecutting device may be configured to move in the space of the third jigaccording to a movement of the inner guide part.

The third jig may have a ring shape with a predetermined radius ofcurvature such that the space therein has a circular shape, the innerguide rail may be formed along the inner circumference of the third jigand may have a predetermined radius of curvature, and the inner guidepart may have a radius of curvature the same as the radius of curvatureof the inner guide rail such that the inner guide part may be movablealong the inner guide rail.

Each of the one or more legs may include a single link or a plurality oflinks connected in series, the single link or the plurality of links maybe configured to extend to a predetermined length and connect the innerguide part and the cutting device, and ends of the plurality of linksmay be configured to be connected to each other and rotatable on a planewithin the space of the third jig such that the cutting device may bemovable on the plane.

Three legs may be provided, and the three legs may be configured to beconnected in parallel by connecting ends of the three legs to thecutting device and the other ends of the three legs to the inner guidepart.

The connection unit may include a first leg, a second leg, and a thirdleg, the second leg may be positioned between the first and third legs,the first leg may include a first link and a second link configured tobe rotatably connected to each other via a hinge, the second leg mayinclude a third link, and the third leg may include a fourth link and afifth link configured to be rotatably connected to each other via ahinge.

At least one of the one or more legs may have a variable length suchthat the cutting device may be movable in the space of the third jig.

The cutting unit may include: a ring-shaped jig having a center axis, aradius, and a space therein; a plurality of brackets configured to beconnected to outer portions of the ring-shaped jig in radial directionsof the ring-shaped jig so as to allow rotation of the ring-shaped jigaround the center axis; a cutting device disposed in the space of thering-shaped jig; and a connection unit configured to connect thering-shaped jig and the cutting device, wherein the brackets may beconfigured to be respectively connected to the main guide beams and mayinclude second main guide parts formed on outer portions of the bracketsand configured to be connected to the main guide rails such that thebrackets may be vertically movable along the main guide rails, and theconnection unit may include one or more legs having a variable structuresuch that the cutting device may be movable in the space of thering-shaped jig.

The brackets may further include curved guide rails formed in innerportions of the brackets for connection with the ring-shaped jig, andthe curved guide rails may have a radius of curvature that is the sameas that of the ring-shaped jig such that the ring-shaped jig may berotatable along the curved guide rails.

Each of the one or more legs may include a single link or a plurality oflinks configured to be connected in series, the single link or theplurality of links extending a predetermined length and connecting thering-shaped jig and the cutting device, and ends of the plurality oflinks may be configured to be connected to each other and rotatable on aplane within the space of the ring-shaped jig such that the cuttingdevice may be movable on the plane.

Three legs may be provided, and the three legs may be configured to beconnected in parallel by connecting ends of the three legs to thecutting device and the other ends of the three legs to the ring-shapedjig.

The connection unit may include a first leg, a second leg, and a thirdleg, the second leg may be positioned between the first and third legs,the first leg may include a first link and a second link configured tobe rotatably connected through a hinge, the second leg may include athird link, and the third leg may include a fourth link and a fifth linkconfigured to be rotatably connected using a hinge.

At least one of the one or more legs may have a variable length suchthat the cutting device may be movable in the space.

The cutting device may further include: a housing configured to beconnected to the one or more legs; and a cutting tool configured to beconnected to the housing, wherein the cutting tool configured to beconnected to the housing may be rotatable upward and downward around anaxis parallel with the plane on which the links are rotatable.

The cutting device may further include: a cutting bit; and an air blowerconfigured to blow air.

The frame may include a plurality of vertically-extending main guidebeams, wherein the plurality of vertically-extending main guide beamsmay be four in number and arranged in a tetragonal shape, the stackingbase unit may be configured to be connected to some of thevertically-extending main guide beams, the cutting unit may beconfigured to be connected to the remaining ones of thevertically-extending main guide beams, and the stacking base unit andthe cutting unit may be configured to be vertically movable along themain guide rails.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a 3D printer having a dual stage structureaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates the 3D printer having a dual stage structureaccording to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates the 3D printer having a dual stage structureaccording to another exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate the 3D printer having a dual stage structureaccording to another exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 8 and 13 illustrate a stacking base unit of the 3D printer havinga dual stage structure according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 14 and 16 illustrate the stacking base unit of the 3D printerhaving a dual stage structure according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 17 to 20 illustrate the stacking base unit of the 3D printerhaving a dual stage structure according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 21 and 24 illustrate the stacking base unit of the 3D printerhaving a dual stage structure according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate an extrusion unit of the 3D printer having adual stage structure according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 27 to 32 illustrate a cutting unit of the 3D printer having a dualstage structure according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 33 and 34 illustrate the cutting unit of the 3D printer having adual stage structure according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 35 to 39 illustrate the cutting unit of the 3D printer having adual stage structure according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 40 illustrates a bracket of the stacking base unit of the 3Dprinter having a dual stage structure according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIGS. 41 to 48 illustrate the 3D printer having a dual stage structureaccording to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 49 illustrates an exemplary target object to be formed using the 3Dprinter having a dual stage structure;

FIGS. 50 to 57 illustrate processes for forming a target object usingthe 3D printer having a dual stage structure according to an exemplaryembodiment; and

FIG. 58 illustrates an exemplary object formed using the 3D printerhaving a dual stage structure according to the exemplary embodiment;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantages and features of exemplary embodiments, and implementationmethods thereof will be clarified through the following descriptionsgiven with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments may,however, have different forms and should not be construed as beinglimited to the descriptions set forth herein. Rather, these embodimentsare provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, andwill fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled inthe art. Therefore, the scope of the inventive concept should be definedby the following claims. Throughout the present disclosure, likereference numerals denote like elements.

Spatially relative terms, such as “below”, “beneath”, “lower”, “above”,“upper”, “side”, “lateral”, and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one member or element's relationship to anothermember(s) or element(s) as illustrated in the drawings. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of a member in use or operation in addition tothe orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if members in thedrawings are turned over, a member described as being “above” anothermember would then be described as being “under” the other member.Therefore, the term “above” may be construed as “above” or “under.”Members may be otherwise oriented, and then the spatially relative termsmay be interpreted accordingly.

In the following description, the technical terms are used only forexplaining exemplary embodiments, and not for purposes of limitation.The terms of a singular form may include plural forms unlessspecifically mentioned. The meaning of “comprises” and/or “comprising”specifies an element, a step, a process, an operation, and/or a memberbut does not exclude other elements, steps, processes, operations,and/or members.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art. It will be further understood that terms,such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, will not beinterpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly sodefined herein.

In the drawings, the thicknesses, sizes, or shapes of elements or partsare exaggerated, omitted, or schematically shown for ease and clarity ofillustration. That is, the size and area of each element may bedifferent from the actual size and area thereof.

In addition, directions mentioned while explaining structures are basedon the drawings. Therefore, if the reference points of directions orpositional relationships are not clearly mentioned in the followingdescription, refer to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a 3D printer 1 having a dual stage structureaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

The 3D printer 1 having a dual stage structure of the exemplaryembodiment includes: an extrusion unit 300 configured to extrude a rawmaterial; a stacking base unit 200 disposed under the extrusion unit 300to form an object layer-by-layer by receiving the raw material on anupper surface thereon; and a cutting unit 400 disposed between thestacking base unit 200 and the extrusion unit 300 and configured togrind or cut the object formed on the stacking base unit 200, whereinthe distance between the distance between the extrusion unit 300 and thecutting unit 400 and the distance between the cutting unit 400 and thestacking base unit 200 are variable.

The raw material may be extruded via the extrusion unit 300. To thisend, a supply device may be connected to the extrusion unit 300 so as tosupply the raw material to the extrusion unit 300, and the extrusionunit 300 may include a nozzle 340 so as to extrude the raw material. Theraw material may be a material such as a solid material, a gel, or aliquid material suitable for forming certain objects. However, the rawmaterial is not limited thereto. The nozzle 340 may extrude the rawmaterial so that layers of the raw material are stacked on the stackingbase unit 200 (to be described in detail later). At this time, theposition where the raw material is extruded in a layer-by-layer mannermay be adjusted by moving the nozzle 340 of the extrusion unit 300 on aplane.

The stacking base unit 200 is disposed under the extrusion unit 300 andmay have a shelf-like shape such that the raw material extruded from theextrusion unit 300 may be arranged layer-by-layer on the stacking baseunit 200 to form an object.

The cutting unit 400 is disposed between the extrusion unit 300 and thestacking base unit 200. The cutting unit 400 cuts or grinds the objectformed on the stacking base unit 200 while moving between the extrusionunit 300 and the stacking base unit 200.

The cutting unit 400 is disposed between the extrusion unit 300 and thestacking base unit 200. The cutting unit 400 cuts or grinds the objectformed on the formation unit 200 while moving between the extrusion unit300 and the stacking base unit 200.

The distance between the extrusion unit 300 and the cutting unit 400 andthe distance between the cutting unit 400 and the stacking base unit 200are variable. That is, when the raw material extruded from the extrusionunit 300 is arranged layer-by-layer on the stacking base unit 200, thedistance between the extrusion unit 300 and the stacking base unit 200is adjusted, and the cutting unit 400 may cut or grind the object whilethe cutting unit 400 moves between the extrusion unit 300 and thestacking base unit 200. In this manner, cutting or grinding of theobject may be carried out simultaneously with extrusion and arranging ofthe raw material.

As described above, the 3D printer 1 of the exemplary embodiment has adual stage structure. That is, the extrusion unit 300, the cutting unit400, and the stacking base unit 200 are sequentially positioned in adownward direction, and the object formed by laying down the rawmaterial on the stacking base unit 200 may be cut or ground by thecutting unit 400. Therefore, an laying operation and a cutting operationmay be simultaneously carried out.

The extrusion unit 300, the stacking base unit 200, and the cutting unit400 may be connected to and supported by a frame 100. In the followingdescription, exemplary embodiments will be described according to theframe 100.

The frame 100 may be disposed outside the stacking base unit 200, theextrusion unit 300, and the cutting unit 400. The frame 100 may beconnected to one or more of the stacking base unit 200, extrusion unit300, and the cutting unit 400 and may vertically extend. Therefore, oneor more of the stacking base unit 200, the extrusion unit 300, and thecutting unit 400 may vertically be movable along the cutting unit 400,and owing to the frame 100, the stacking base unit 200, the extrusionunit 300, and the cutting unit 400 may be properly positioned to performa raw material extruding operation, a layer forming operation, and acutting operation.

For example, according to an exemplary embodiment, the stacking baseunit 200 and the cutting unit 400 may be vertically movable along theframe 100. In detail, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the extrusion unit 300is fixed to an upper portion of the frame 100 and extrudes the rawmaterial, and the raw material is arranged on the stacking base unit 200to form an object layer-by-layer. At this time, the stacking base unit200 may be vertically moved to form the object into a target shape. Inaddition, the cutting unit 400 may cut and grind portions of the objectwhile moving vertically.

At this time, when the vertical position of the extrusion unit 300disposed at an upper position is fixed, the nozzle 340 is moved. Thenozzle 340 may extrude the raw material at a certain position on a planewhile moving along the plane. In addition, the stacking base unit 200receives the raw material while moving vertically so that the object maybe easily formed to have the target shape. Particularly, the nozzle 340extruding the raw material has a fixed height and moves on a plane, andthe stacking base unit 200 moves vertically. Thus, the 3D printer 1 mayhave a simple structure.

In the above-described embodiment, the stacking base unit 200 and thecutting unit 400 are vertically movable along the frame 100. However,the inventive concept is not limited thereto.

For example, according to another exemplary embodiment, all of theextrusion unit 300, the cutting unit 400, and the stacking base unit 200may be connected to the frame 100 and vertically movable as shown inFIG. 3. In another exemplary embodiment, only the cutting unit 400 maybe connected to the frame 100 in a vertically movable manner, and thestacking base unit 200 may be vertically moved by a separate heightadjusting device.

In detail, according to the exemplary embodiment, the frame 100 isconfigured as follows. The frame 100 includes a plurality of verticallyextending main guide beams 110, and vertically extending main guiderails 112 are respectively formed on inner sides of the main guide beams110. Main guide parts respectively connected to the main guide rails 112are disposed on an outer side of one or more of the stacking base unit200, the extrusion unit 300, and the cutting unit 400. Therefore, one ormore of the stacking base unit 200, the extrusion unit 300, and thecutting unit 400 are vertically movable along the main guide rails 112.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, four main guide beams 110 may bedisposed in four directions. However, this is just an example and moreor less than four main guide beams 110 may be used. The main guide beams110 may be arranged in parallel with each other according to apredetermined arrangement manner.

The configuration in which all the main guide beams 110 of the frame 100are connected to the extrusion unit 300, the cutting unit 400, and thestacking base unit 200 is a non-limiting example. In an exemplaryembodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, four main guide beams 110A and 1108 maybe arranged at four positions. Mutually-facing two (first main guidebeams 110A) of the four main guide beams 110A and 1108 may be connectedto the stacking base unit 200, and the other mutually-facing two (secondmain guide beams 1108) of the four main guide beams 110A and 1108 may beconnected to the cutting unit 400. That is, the main guide beams 110 maybe selectively connected to one or more of the extrusion unit 300, thecutting unit 400, and the stacking base unit 200.

The main guide rails 112 respectively formed on the main guide beams 110extend in a vertical direction. In addition, the main guide partsconnected to the main guide rails 112 are disposed on the outer side ofone or more of the extrusion unit 300, the stacking base unit 200, andthe cutting unit 400 to allow vertical movement of one or more of thestacking base unit 200, the extrusion unit 300, and the cutting unit 400along the main guide rails 112. The main guide rails 112 and the mainguide parts are not limited to particular structures as long as the mainguide rails 112 and the main guide parts are connected to each other andallow guiding movements. For example, the main guide parts may be placedon the outer side of all of the stacking base unit 200, the extrusionunit 300, and the cutting unit 400, and the main guide parts of all,two, or one of the stacking base unit 200, the extrusion unit 300, andthe cutting unit 400 may be connected to the main guide rails 112.

In addition, a driving device and a control device may be further usedto move and stop the stacking base unit 200 and the cutting unit 400.Owing to the above-described structure, the stacking base unit 200, theextrusion unit 300, and the cutting unit 400 may be easily moved in avertical direction along the main guide beams 110.

An exemplary structure of the frame 100 will now be described accordingto another embodiment with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

For example, the frame 100 includes: an outer frame 120 having aplurality of outer guide beams 122 arranged in a circular shape; and arotatable frame 130 having a plurality of rotatable guide beams 132disposed inside a circle formed by the outer guide beams 122. Thecutting unit 400 is connected to an inner side of the rotatable frame130, and each of the rotatable guide beams 132 vertically extends sothat the cutting unit 400 may be vertically moved along the rotatableframe 130. The rotatable frame 130 disposed inside the outer frame 120is rotatable about the center of the circle formed by the outer guidebeams 122. In this manner, the position of the cutting unit 400 isvariable.

That is, according to the exemplary embodiment, the frame 100 isconfigured by the outer frame 120 and the rotatable frame 130 rotatablydisposed inside the outer frame 120.

FIG. 7 illustrates the outer frame 120. The outer frame 120 includes theouter guide beams 122 arranged in a circular shape. That is, the outerguide beams 122 may be arranged along the circumference of a circle.Also, the outer frame 120 extends vertically.

FIG. 6 illustrates the rotatable frame 130. The rotatable frame 130includes the rotatable guide beams 132 arranged inside the circle formedby the outer guide beams 122. The rotatable guide beams 132 extendvertically and may be rotatable around the center of the circle formedby the outer guide beams 122. In a non-limiting example, a plurality ofrotatable frames 130 may be arranged concentrically with the circleformed by the outer guide beams 122.

Sub guide rails 134 may extend vertically on inner sides of therotatable guide beams 132. The function of the main guide rails 134 issimilar to the above-described function of the main guide rails 112.That is, second main guide parts 414 of the cutting unit 400 areconnected to the sub guide rails 134 to enable vertical movement of thecutting unit 400.

In more detail, the rotatable frame 130 may include a ring-shapedconnection part 136 which is connected to lower portions of therotatable guide beams 132 and concentric with the circle formed by theouter guide beams 122. That is, the rotatable frame 130 may have a shapeshown in FIGS. 5 to 7. The lower portions of the rotatable guide beams132 may be connected to the ring-shaped connection part 136.

In addition, the outer frame 120 may include a cylindrical connectionpart 124 connecting lower portions of the outer guide beams 122 andinserted into the ring-shaped connection part 136. The cylindricalconnection part 124 may have an outer diameter corresponding to theinner diameter of the ring-shaped connection part 136. Instead ofdirectly connecting the outer guide beams 122 to the cylindricalconnection part 124, the lower portions of the outer guide beams 122 maybe connected to a jig having a predetermined area, and the cylindricalconnection part 124 may be formed on an upper portion of the jig.

The rotatable frame 130 may be rotated by rotating the ring-shapedconnection part 136 on the cylindrical connection part 124. In thiscase, a driving unit such as a motor may be used to rotate the rotatableframe 130.

The stacking base unit 200 may be disposed above the cylindricalconnection part 124, and a height adjusting device 202 may be placed ona lower portion of the stacking base unit 200 to adjust the verticalposition of the stacking base unit 200. For example, the vertical lengthof the height adjusting device 202 may be varied to vertically move thestacking base unit 200. This structure will be described in detail whenthe stacking base unit 200 is described later in detail.

The cutting unit 400 is connected to the inner side of the rotatableframe 130. In detail, the cutting unit 400 is connected to the rotatableguide beams 132 and vertically movable along the rotatable guide beams132. In addition, the cutting unit 400 may be moved on a plane when therotatable frame 130 is rotated. Therefore, the cutting unit 400 may cutor grind a proper area of an object.

The stacking base unit 200 will now be described in detail withreference to FIGS. 8 to 24.

The stacking base unit 200 may include: a first jig 210 having apredetermined area; and a bed 220 disposed on top of the first jig 210to receive a raw material extruded from the extrusion unit 300. Aplurality of support holes 222 are formed in the bed 220.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the stacking base unit 200 connected to theframe 100. The first jig 210 of the stacking base unit 200 has a plateshape and a predetermined area. According to an exemplary embodiment,first main guide parts 212 may be disposed on lateral portions of thefirst jig 210 and connected to the frame 100.

The bed 220 is disposed on the first jig 210 to receive a raw materialextruded from the extrusion unit 300. The bed 220 has a structure andarea adapted to form an object layer-by-layer by receiving a rawmaterial thereon. The support holes 222 are formed in the bed 220. Thesupport holes 222 have a diameter and depth that allow the raw materialto be sufficiently received therein.

Since the support holes 222 are formed in the bed 220, when an object isformed from the raw material, the object may be securely fixed on thebed 220. That is, the raw material extruded toward the bed 220 is firstfilled in the support holes 222 and continuously formed into an object.Thus, the object is supported in a state where lower portions of theobject are inserted in the support holes 222. Therefore, the object maybe supported without the help of an additional complex structure ordevice, and even though a force is applied to the object when thecutting unit 400 cuts the object, the object may be securely fixed inplace.

The first jig 210 is vertically movable.

According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 13, thefirst main guide parts 212 are disposed on the lateral portions of thefirst jig 210 and connected to the main guide rails 134 of the frame 100so that the first jig 210 and the stacking base unit 200 may bevertically moved along the main guide rails 134.

In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 20, the firstjig 210 may be vertically moved by the height adjusting device 202disposed on a lower portion of the first jig 210.

In this case, the first jig 210 may be vertically moved as indicated byan arrow U by adjusting the length of the height adjusting device 202.According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, thefirst main guide parts 212 may be disposed on the lateral portions ofthe first jig 210 and connected to the main guide rails 134.

According to another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17 to 20,the first main guide parts 212 may not be provided on the lateralportions of the first jig 210, and the lateral portions of the first jig210 may not be connected to the main guide rails 134. Even in this case,the first jig 210 may be vertically moved as indicated by the arrow U byadjusting the length of the height adjusting device 202. Thesestructures of the exemplary embodiments may be applied to the exemplaryembodiment described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. That is, as shownin FIG. 20, the outer frame 120 and the rotatable frame 130 may beconnected to each other through the cylindrical connection part 124 andthe ring-shaped connection part 136. In this case, the height adjustingdevice 202 may be disposed on the cylindrical connection part 124. Thatis, since lateral portions of the stacking base unit 200 are notconnected to the frame 100, the rotatable frame 130 to which the cuttingunit 400 is connected may be independently rotated.

A lower portion of the height adjusting device 202 may be connected tothe frame 100, and an upper portion of the height adjusting device 202may be connected to a lower surface of the first jig 210. The first jig210 and the bed 220 may move vertically as a vertical length of theheight adjusting device 202 is varied. That is, since the heightadjusting device 202 having a tower structure is disposed on the lowerportion of the first jig 210, the height of the first jig 210 may bevaried by adjusting the height of the height adjusting device 202.

FIGS. 21 to 24 are views schematically illustrating the bed 220 of thestacking base unit 200 of the 3D printer 1 having a dual stage structureaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

The bed 220 may include first to third build plates 230, 240, and 250having predetermined areas and being sequentially stacked, and the firstto third build plates 230, 240, and 250 may include first to thirdsupport holes 234, 244, and 254, respectively. The first to third buildplates 230, 240, and 250 may be horizontally moved to align or misalignthe first and second to third support holes 234, 244, and 254 with eachother in a vertical direction.

Referring to FIGS. 21 to 24, the bed 220 may include a stack of thefirst to third build plates 230, 240, and 250 having predeterminedareas. The first to third build plates 230, 240, and 250 may havepredetermined areas and thicknesses, respectively, and may be stacked oneach other. The first to third holes 234, 244, and 254 may be formed inthe areas of the first to third build plates 230, 240, and 250,respectively, and the first to third support holes 234, 244, and 254 maybe arranged in the same manner.

The first to third build plates 230, 240, and 250 may be horizontallymoved relative to each other to align or misalign the first to thirdsupport holes 234, 244, and 254 with each other in the verticaldirection. That is, the first to third support holes 234, 244, and 254may be aligned with each other to form penetrations holes or may bemisaligned with each other to block some of the first to third supportholes 234, 244, and 254 in the vertical direction.

First, referring to FIG. 21, when the raw material is extruded from theextrusion unit 300, the first and second support holes 234 and 244 ofthe first and second build plates 230 and 240 may be aligned with eachother. Then, the raw material may be filled in the first and secondsupport holes 234 and 244 and then may be arranged above the first andsecond support holes 234 and 244. As the raw material hardens in thefirst and second support holes 234 and 244, the raw material may besupported by the first and second support holes 234 and 244. At thistime, the third support holes 254 are not aligned with the first andsecond support holes 234 and 244.

Next, if the first build plate 230 is moved in the direction of a firstarrow G as shown in FIG. 22, the first and second support holes 234 and244 are misaligned, and the raw material hardened in the first andsecond support holes 234 and 244 is cut. That is, as shown in FIG. 22,the raw material hardened in the first and second support holes 234 and244 is cut into portions S1 in the first support holes 234 and portionsS2 in the second support holes 244.

Next, if the second build plate 240 or the third build plate 250 ismoved to align the second and third support holes 244 and 254 with eachother as shown in FIG. 23, the portions S2 disposed in the secondsupport holes 244 may fall through the third support holes 254 in thedirection of an arrow H as shown in FIG. 24. Therefore, support portionsmay be easily removed from a formed object, and the object may be easilyseparated from the first to third support holes 234, 244, and 254.

FIGS. 25 and 26 are views illustrating the extrusion unit 300 of the 3Dprinter 1 having a dual stage structure according to an exemplaryembodiment. The extrusion unit 300 will now be described in more detailwith reference to FIGS. 25 and 26.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the extrusion unit 300 includes:a second jig 310 connected to the frame 100 and including an empty space316 in the second jig 310; and an extrusion device 320 disposed in thespace 316. The second jig 310 includes first guide beams 312 and 314disposed in the space 316 and extending in at least one direction. Theextrusion device 320 includes: second guide beams 330 connected to thefirst guide beams 312 and 314 and extending in a direction perpendicularto the first guide beams 312 and 314, the second guide beams 330 beingmovable along the first guide beams 312 and 314 in the direction inwhich the first guide beams 312 and 314 extend; and the nozzle 340connected to the second guide beams 330 and movable along the secondguide beams 330 in the direction in which the second guide beams 330extend.

The second jig 310 is connected to the frame 100. For example, thesecond jig 310 may be fixed to an upper end of the frame 100 asdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In another example, asshown in FIG. 3, the second jig 310 may include third main guide parts302 connected to the main guide rails 112, and the thus the second jig310 may be vertically movable along the connection terminal 1120.

The space 316 formed inside the second jig 310 has a predetermined area,and the extrusion device 320, including the nozzle 340, is disposed inthe space 316 and extrudes the raw material through the nozzle 340. Theextrusion device 320 is movable in the space 316.

The first guide beams 312 and 314 are disposed inside the space 316. Thefirst guide beams 312 and 314 may extend in one direction across thespace 316. The number of first guide beams 312 and 314 may be one ormore. For example, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, one or more first guidebeams 312 and 314 may extend in parallel with each other in each lateralregion of the space 316.

The extrusion device 320 includes the second guide beams 330 and thenozzle 340. The second guide beams 330 are connected to the first guidebeams 312 and 314 and extend in a direction perpendicular to the firstguide beams 312 and 314. The second guide beams 330 are movable alongthe first guide beams 312 and 314 in the direction in which the firstguide beams 312 and 314 extend. In this case, connection parts 322 and324 may be used to connect the second guide beams 330 to the first guidebeams 312 and 314 in a movable manner.

The nozzle 340 is connected to the second guide beams 330 and movablealong the second guide beams 330 in the direction in which the secondguide beams 330 extend. The nozzle 340 may extrude the raw materialthrough extrusion holes 342.

Owing to the above-described structure, the nozzle 340 and the secondguide beams 330 are movable in the direction in which the first guidebeams 312 and 314 extend, and the nozzle 340 is also movable in thedirection in which the second guide beams 330 extend. That is, thenozzle 340 is movable to any position on a plane, and thus, the rawmaterial may be extruded at a desired position through the nozzle 340.

The cutting unit 400 will now be described in detail.

FIGS. 27 and 32 are views illustrating the cutting unit 400 of the 3Dprinter 1 having a dual stage structure according to an exemplaryembodiment.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the cutting unit 400 includes: athird jig 410 including second main guide parts 414 disposed on outersides of the third jig 410 and connected to the main guide rails 112 tomove vertically along the main guide rails 112, an empty space 416formed in the third jig 410; a cutting device 470 disposed in the space416; and a connection unit 420 connecting the third jig 410 and thecutting device 470 together. The connection unit 420 includes one ormore variable legs for moving the cutting device 470 in the empty space416.

The third jig 410 includes the second main guide parts 414 disposed onthe outer sides of the third jig 410. The second main guide parts 414are connected to the main guide rails 112 for guiding a verticalmovement of the third jig 410. The space 416 formed inside the third jig410 has a predetermined area, and the cutting device 470 and theconnection unit 420 are disposed in the space 416.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 27, the third jig 410 may have a circularring shape. However, the third jig 410 is not limited thereto. Forexample, the third jig 410 may have other shapes such as an ellipticalor polygonal shape.

The cutting device 470 and the connection unit 420 are disposed in thespace 416. The cutting device 470 is used to cut or grind a formedobject, and the connection unit 420 connects the cutting device 470 andthe third jig 410.

The connection unit 420 includes one or more legs connecting the cuttingdevice 470 to the third jig 410.

The third jig 410 may include an inner guide rail 412. The inner guiderail 412 may have a groove shape extending along the inner circumferenceof the third jig 410. It is sufficient that the inner guide rail 412guides movement of an inner guide part 430 (to be described later).

The connection unit 420 further includes the inner guide part 430connected to the inner guide rail 412 and movable along the inner guiderail 412. The legs are connected to the inner guide part 430, and thecutting device 470 may be moved in the empty space 416 according to themovement of the inner guide part 430.

That is, as described above, the inner guide part 430 is connected tothe inner guide rail 412 and movable in the empty space 416 along theinner guide rail 412. For example, the inner guide part 430 may beconnected to the inner guide rail 412 and rotatable along the innerguide rail 412. That is, the inner guide part 430 is rotatable along theinner circumference of the third jig 410. Ends of the legs are connectedto the inner guide part 430, and the other ends of the legs areconnected to the cutting device 470. Therefore, the cutting device 470is movable while rotating inside the space 416. For example, themovement of the cutting device 470 may be limited according to the shapeof the third jig 410 and the number of legs of the connection unit 420.

As shown in FIGS. 29 to 32, the inner guide part 430 may be configuredto move along the inner guide rail 412. For example, the third jig 410may have a circular ring shape with a predetermined radius of curvature,and the empty space 416 may have a circular shape. In this case, theinner guide rail 412 formed along the inner circumference of the thirdjig 410 having a circular ring shape may have a predetermined radius ofcurvature. Therefore, the inner guide part 430 may have a radius ofcurvature the same as that of the inner guide rail 412 so that the innerguide part 430 may be moved along the inner guide rail 412. For example,the inner guide part 430 may have a circular shape or partially circularshape with an additional curved portion or a shape-variable structure.However, the inner guide part 430 is not limited thereto.

Each of the legs includes one or more links having predetermined lengthsand connected to the inner guide part 430 and the cutting device 470.Ends of each of the links are connected to each other, and the links arerotatable on a plane within the empty space 416 to allow movement of thecutting device 470 on the plane.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 27 to 32, each of the legs includes one ormore links having predetermined lengths and connected in a rotatablemanner on a plane so as to allow rotation or movement of the cuttingdevice 470 on the plane. For example, a leg including one or morerotatable links may be used to allow movement of the cutting device 470on a plane. In another example, a plurality of legs, each including oneor more links, may be operated in an interrelated manner so as to varythe position of the cutting device 470.

The cutting device 470 may be moved by a rotational movement of thelinks, and the inner guide part 430 may be moved along the inner guiderail 412. Therefore, when the cutting unit 400 performs a cuttingoperation, the cutting unit 400 is movable on a plane within a widerange.

For example, three or more legs may be provided, and ends of the legsmay be connected to the cutting device 470 and the other ends of thelegs may be connected to the inner guide part 430 to form a parallelconnection structure.

That is, three or more legs may be connected in parallel between theinner guide part 430 and the cutting device 470 so as to improve theoperational efficiency and precision of the cutting device 470.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the connection unit 420 mayinclude a first leg 440, a second leg 450, and a third leg 460. Thesecond leg 450 may be disposed between the first leg 440 and the thirdleg 460. The first leg 440 may include a first link 442 and a secondlink 444 that are rotatably connected to each other through a hinge. Thesecond leg 450 may include a third link 452. The third leg 460 mayinclude a fourth link 462 and a fifth link 464 that are rotatablyconnected to each other through a hinge.

In this case, driving devices may be respectively disposed at rotatablyconnected points of the links for rotating the links. If the links arerotated by the driving devices, the cutting device 470 may beaccordingly moved. Whether to dispose the driving devices among therotatably connected points of the links may be selected according to amovement of the cutting device 470.

The cutting device 470 includes a housing 472 connected to the legs anda cutting tool 474 connected to the housing 472. The cutting tool 474 isconnected to the housing 472 in such a manner that the cutting tool 474may rotate in upward and downward directions around an axis parallelwith a plane on which the links are rotated.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 33 to 35, the cutting device 470 includes thehousing 472 connected to the legs, and the cutting tool 474 performingcutting and grinding operations is connected to the housing 472 in avertically rotatable manner. Therefore, a cutting or grinding operationmay be performed within a wide range.

For example, the cutting device 470 may be moved to a target position ona plane by rotations of the links of the legs, and the cutting tool 474of the cutting device 470 may be vertically rotated to selectivelyperform a cutting or grinding operation at the target position.

The cutting tool 474 may include a cutting bit 476 used for cutting andan air blowers 478 for blowing air. That is, as shown in FIGS. 33 and35, in addition to the cutting bit 476 rotated for cutting and grinding,the air blowers 478 is provided to blow air to a cutting position.Therefore, scraps or burrs may be easily removed during cutting andgrinding.

FIGS. 35 to 39 are views illustrating the cutting unit 400 of the 3Dprinter 1 having a dual stage structure according to other exemplaryembodiments.

The connection unit 420 is not limited the above-described structure.For example, the connection unit 420 may have a multi-joint structureformed by legs having a plurality of links. For example, referring toFIG. 34, all of the legs of the connection unit 420 have a multi-jointstructure having a plurality of links.

In another example, at least one of the legs of the connection unit 420may have a variable length. For example, referring to FIG. 36, one ofthe legs of the connection unit 420 has a variable length.

In another example, the connection unit 420 may have a single leg formedby a plurality of rotatable links connected in series. For example,referring to FIG. 37, a single leg includes a plurality of rotatablelinks connected in series.

The above-examples are for illustrative purposes only. That is, theconnection unit 420 may have various structures.

FIGS. 38 and 39 illustrate the cutting unit 400 according to anotherexemplary embodiment. FIG. 40 illustrates a bracket 490 used in theother exemplary embodiment.

According to the other exemplary embodiment, the cutting unit 400 mayinclude: a ring-shaped jig 480 having a center axis and a predeterminedradius, wherein a space 482 is formed in the ring-shaped jig 480; and aplurality of brackets 490 connected to outer portions of the ring-shapedjig 480 in radial directions so as to allow the ring-shaped jig 480 torotate around the center axis of the ring-shaped jig 480.

The cutting device 470 is disposed in the space 482, and the connectionunit 420 connects the ring-shaped jig 480 and the cutting device 470.

Like the third jig 410, the ring-shaped jig 480 has a circular ringshape having a center axis and a predetermined radius. Instead ofdirectly connecting the ring-shaped jig 480 to the frame 100, thering-shaped jig 480 is connected to the frame 100 using the brackets490. In detail, the brackets 490 are connected to the frame 100, and thering-shaped jig 480 is connected to brackets 490.

The brackets 490 are respectively connected to the main guide beams 110of the frame 100. The brackets 490 include second main guide parts 492formed on outer portions thereof and connected to the main guide rails112 of the frame 100 so that the brackets 490 may be vertically movedalong the main guide rails 112.

The brackets 490 are connected to the outer portions of the ring-shapedjig 480 in radial directions so that the ring-shaped jig 480 may berotatable on the center axis of the ring-shaped jig 480. That is, thebrackets 490 are connected to the outer portions of the ring-shaped jig480 in radial directions for supporting the ring-shaped jig 480 whileallowing rotation of the ring-shaped jig 480.

To this end, the brackets 490 may include curved guide rails 494 formedinner portions of the brackets 490 and connected to the ring-shaped jig480. The curved guide rails 494 have a radius of curvature the same asthat of the ring-shaped jig 480 so that the ring-shaped jig 480 may berotatable along the curved guide rails 494. That is, for example,grooves having a predetermined radius of curvature may be formed in thebrackets 490 to form the curved guide rails 494, and the ring-shaped jig480 may be connected to the curved guide rails 494 by placing portionsof the ring-shaped jig 480 on the curved guide rails 494. Therefore, ina state in which the ring-shaped jig 480 is connected to the curvedguide rails 494, the ring-shaped jig 480 may be rotated as indicated byan arrow R in FIG. 39.

The shapes and arrangement of the stacking base unit 200, the extrusionunit 300, the cutting unit 400, and the frame 100 are not limited to theabove-described shapes and arrangement. That is, as shown in FIGS. 41 to48, the third jig 410 of the cutting unit 400 may have a shape otherthan the above-mentioned circular shape, such as a polygonal orelliptical shape. The same applies to the stacking base unit 200 and theextrusion unit 300. Accordingly, the shape and configuration of theframe 100 may be variously varied. For example, if the stacking baseunit 200 and the cutting unit 400 have a rectangular shape, the frame100 may be disposed at positions corresponding to sides of therectangular shape. In this case, objects having a rectangular or similarshape may be easily formed, and spaces of the 3D printer 1 may beselectively used.

In addition, the structures of the cutting device 470 and the connectionunit 420 of the cutting unit 400 may be variously varied. For example,as shown in FIGS. 41 and 48, a multi-joint series connection typeconnection unit 420 may be used, and thus the movement of the connectionunit 420 may be three-dimensional as well as two-dimensional.Furthermore, other rotation mechanisms such as rotatable joints may beused in addition to hinges for variously moving the connection unit 420.Therefore, various portions may be cut and ground using the cutting unit400. In addition, a plurality of cutting devices 470 and a plurality ofconnection units 420 may be used to perform cutting and grindingoperations within predetermined ranges.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing a target object using the 3Dprinter 1 having a dual stage structure will be described according toan exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 49 is a view illustrating an exemplary object to be formed usingthe 3D printer 1 having a dual stage structure according to an exemplaryembodiment. FIGS. 50 to 57 are views illustrating processes for formingan object using the 3D printer 1 having a dual stage structure accordingto the exemplary embodiment. FIG. 58 is a view illustrating an exemplaryobject formed using the 3D printer 1 having a dual stage structureaccording to the exemplary embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, a target object W as shown in FIG. 49 ismanufactured using the 3D printer 1 having a dual stage structure.

First, as shown in FIG. 50, the stacking base unit 200 and the cuttingunit 400 are placed at initial positions. At this time, the stackingbase unit 200 is disposed close to the extrusion unit 300, and a rawmaterial is extruded onto the bed 220 of the stacking base unit 200.

At this time, as described above, the raw material is first filled inthe support holes 222 formed in the bed 220 so that an object formedsuccessively may be supported and fixed by the support holes 222.Therefore, the resultant object successively formed as described abovemay have protrusion tips P on an end thereof as shown in FIG. 58. Inthis manner, an object formed using the 3D printer 1 having a dual stagestructure of the exemplary embodiment may be simply and easilysupported, and even though the object receives force during a cuttingprocess, the object may be kept in place. Therefore, the objet may beformed more in accordance with aimed purposes.

Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 51 to 57, while the raw material isextruded from the extrusion unit 300, the stacking base unit 200 ismoved downward, and the cutting unit 400 performs cutting and grindingoperations. At this time, the nozzle 340 of the extrusion unit 300 ismoved to vary the position where the raw material is extruded, and sincethe stacking base unit 200 is moved downward, the raw material may beproperly deposited layer-by-layer. In addition, since the cutting unit400 performs cutting and grinding operations, the object may be formedmore in accordance with aimed purposes.

As described above, according to the one or more of the above exemplaryembodiments, an object may be formed while the object is simply andeasily supported, and even though the object receives force during acutting process, the object may be kept in place. Therefore, the objetmay be formed more in accordance with aimed purposes.

In addition, when the raw material is extruded through the extrusionunit, the cutting unit performs cutting and grinding operationssimultaneously with the extrusion of the raw material. Therefore, sincethe cutting unit performs cutting and grinding operations at the sametime while the raw material is deposited layer-by-layer, an object maybe rapidly formed.

It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described hereinshould be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodimentshould typically be considered as available for other similar featuresor aspects in other embodiments.

While one or more exemplary embodiments have been described withreference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventiveconcept as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A 3D printer having a dual stage structure, the3D printer comprising: an extrusion unit configured to extrude a rawmaterial; a stacking base unit positioned under the extrusion unit andconfigured to receive the raw material on an upper surface thereof sothat an object is formed in a layer-by-layer manner on the upper surfaceof the stacking base unit; and a cutting unit between the stacking baseunit and the extrusion unit and configured to grind or cut the objectformed on the upper surface of the stacking base unit, wherein adistance between the extrusion unit and the cutting unit and a distancebetween the cutting unit and the stacking base unit are variablerelative to each other.
 2. The 3D printer of claim 1, further comprisinga frame positioned outside the extrusion unit, the cutting unit, and thestacking base unit, wherein the frame extends vertically and isconfigured to be connected to one or more of the extrusion unit, thecutting unit, and the stacking base unit, and the one or more of theextrusion unit, the cutting unit, and the stacking base unit areconfigured to vertically movable along the frame.
 3. The 3D printer ofclaim 2, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of vertically-extendingmain guide beams, main guide rails are respectively formed on innersides of the main guide beams, and main guide parts are configured to berespectively connected to the main guide rails to be positioned on outerportions of the one or more of the extrusion unit, the cutting unit, andthe stacking base unit, wherein the one or more of the extrusion unit,the cutting unit, and the stacking base unit are configured to bevertically movable along the main guide rails.
 4. The 3D printer ofclaim 2, wherein the frame further comprises: an outer frame comprisinga plurality of outer guide beams arranged in a circular shape; and arotatable frame comprising one or more rotatable guide beams arrangedinside a circle formed by the outer guide beams, wherein the cuttingunit is configured to be connected to an inner side of the rotatableframe, the rotatable guide beams are configured to extend verticallysuch that the cutting unit is vertically movable along the rotatableguide beams, and the rotatable frame is configured to be rotatableinside the outer frame around a center of the circle formed by the outerguide beams such that the cutting unit is movable.
 5. The 3D printer ofclaim 4, wherein the rotatable frame further comprises a ring-shapedconnection part configured to be connected to lower portions of therotatable guide beams and to be concentric with the circle formed by theouter guide beams, the outer frame further comprises a cylindricalconnection part configured to connect lower portions of the outer guidebeams and to be inserted into the ring-shaped connection part, and thering-shaped connection part is configured to be rotatable on thecylindrical connection part to rotate the rotatable frame.
 6. The 3Dprinter of claim 5, wherein the stacking base unit comprises a heightadjusting device positioned on the cylindrical connection part under thestacking base unit, and the height adjusting device is configured tomodify a height of the stacking base unit.
 7. The 3D printer of claim 3,wherein the stacking base unit comprises: a first jig having a certainarea; and a bed on top of the first jig and configured to receive theraw material extruded from the extrusion unit, wherein a plurality ofsupport holes are formed in the bed.
 8. The 3D printer of claim 7,wherein the bed comprises first to third build plates that have certainareas and are sequentially stacked, the first to third build platescomprise first to third support holes, respectively, and the first tothird build plates are configured to be individually movable in ahorizontal direction to align or misalign the first to third supportholes in a vertical direction.
 9. The 3D printer of claim 7, furthercomprising a height adjusting device on a lower portion of the first jigand configured to vertically move the first jig.
 10. The 3D printer ofclaim 9, wherein the height adjusting device has a variable verticallength so as to vertically move the first jig and the bed.
 11. The 3Dprinter of claim 7, wherein first main guide parts are positioned onouter portions of the first jig and are connected to the main guiderails such that the first jig is vertically movable along the main guiderails.
 12. The 3D printer of claim 3, wherein the extrusion unitcomprises: a second jig connected to the frame and having a spacetherein; and an extrusion device positioned in the space, wherein thesecond jig comprises a first guide beam positioned in the space andconfigured to extend in at least one direction, the extrusion devicecomprises a second guide beam configured to be connected to the firstguide beam and extend in a direction perpendicular to the first guidebeam, the second guide beam being movable along the first guide beam inthe direction in which the first guide extends, and a nozzle isconnected to the second guide beam and movable along the second guidebeam in the direction in which the second guide beam extends.
 13. The 3Dprinter of claim 12, wherein the second jig further comprises third mainguide parts configured to be connected to the main guide rails such thatthe second jig is movable along the main guide rails.
 14. The 3D printerof claim 3, wherein the cutting unit comprises: a third jig comprisingsecond main guide parts and having a space therein, the second mainguide parts being formed on outer portions of the third jig and beingconfigured to be connected to the main guide rails such that the thirdjig is vertically movable along the main guide rails; a cutting devicepositioned in the space of the third jig; and a connection unitconfigured to connect the third jig and the cutting device, wherein theconnection unit comprises one or more legs having a variable structuresuch that the cutting device is movable in the space of the third jig.15. The 3D printer of claim 14, wherein the third jig further comprisesan inner guide rail formed along an inner circumference of the thirdjig, the connection unit further comprises an inner guide partconfigured to be connected to the inner guide rail and movable along theinner guide rail, the one or more legs are configured to be connected tothe inner guide part, and the cutting device is configured to move inthe space of the third jig according to a movement of the inner guidepart.
 16. The 3D printer of claim 15, wherein the third jig has a ringshape with a predetermined radius of curvature such that the spacetherein has a circular shape, the inner guide rail is formed along theinner circumference of the third jig and has a predetermined radius ofcurvature, and the inner guide part has a radius of curvature that isthe same as the radius of curvature of the inner guide rail such thatthe inner guide part is movable along the inner guide rail.
 17. The 3Dprinter of claim 15, wherein each of the one or more legs comprises asingle link or a plurality of links connected in series, the single linkor the plurality of links are configured to extend a predeterminedlength and connect the inner guide part and the cutting device, and endsof the plurality of links are configured to be connected to each otherand rotatable on a plane within the space of the third jig such that thecutting device is movable on the plane.
 18. The 3D printer of claim 17,wherein three legs are provided, and the three legs are configured to beconnected in parallel by connecting first ends of the three legs to thecutting device and the other ends of the three legs to the inner guidepart.
 19. The 3D printer of claim 18, wherein the connection unitcomprises a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg, the second leg ispositioned between the first and third legs, the first leg comprises afirst link and a second link configured to be rotatably connected toeach other through a hinge, the second leg comprises a third link, andthe third leg comprises a fourth link and a fifth link configured to berotatably connected to each other via a hinge.
 20. The 3D printer ofclaim 14, wherein at least one of the one or more legs has a variablelength such that the cutting device is movable in the space of the thirdjig.
 21. The 3D printer of claim 3, wherein the cutting unit comprises:a ring-shaped jig having a center axis, a radius, and a space therein; aplurality of brackets configured to be connected to outer portions ofthe ring-shaped jig in radial directions of the ring-shaped jig so as toallow rotation of the ring-shaped jig around the center axis; a cuttingdevice disposed in the space of the ring-shaped jig; and a connectionunit configured to connect the ring-shaped jig and the cutting device,wherein the brackets are configured to be respectively connected to themain guide beams and comprise second main guide parts formed on outerportions of the brackets and configured to be connected to the mainguide rails such that the brackets are vertically movable along the mainguide rails, and the connection unit comprises one or more legs having avariable structure such that the cutting device is movable in the spaceof the ring-shaped jig.
 22. The 3D printer of claim 21, wherein thebrackets further comprise curved guide rails formed in inner portions ofthe brackets for connection with the ring-shaped jig, and the curvedguide rails have a radius of curvature that is the same as that of thering-shaped jig such that the ring-shaped jig is rotatable along thecurved guide rails.
 23. The 3D printer of claim 22, wherein each of theone or more legs comprises a single link or a plurality of linksconfigured to be connected in series, the single link or the pluralityof links extending a predetermined length and connecting the ring-shapedjig and the cutting device, and ends of the plurality of links areconfigured to be connected to each other and rotatable on a plane withinthe space of the ring-shaped jig such that the cutting device is movableon the plane.
 24. The 3D printer of claim 23, wherein three legs areprovided, and the three legs are configured to be connected in parallelby connecting ends of the three legs to the cutting device and the otherends of the three legs to the ring-shaped jig.
 25. The 3D printer ofclaim 24, wherein the connection unit comprises a first leg, a secondleg, and a third leg, the second leg is positioned between the first andthird legs, the first leg comprises a first link and a second linkconfigured to be rotatably connected through a hinge, the second legcomprises a third link, and the third leg comprises a fourth link and afifth link configured to be rotatably connected via a hinge.
 26. The 3Dprinter of claim 22, wherein at least one of the one or more legs has avariable length such that the cutting device is movable in the space.27. The 3D printer of claim 17, wherein the cutting device furthercomprises: a housing configured to be connected to the one or more legs;and a cutting tool configured to be connected to the housing, whereinthe cutting tool configured to be connected to the housing is rotatableupward and downward around an axis parallel with the plane on which thelinks are rotatable.
 28. The 3D printer of claim 27, wherein the cuttingtool further comprises: a cutting bit; and an air blower configured toblow air.
 29. The 3D printer of claim 2, wherein the frame comprises aplurality of vertically-extending main guide beams, thevertically-extending main guide beams are arranged in a tetragonalshape, the stacking base unit is configured to be connected to some ofthe vertically-extending main guide beams, the cutting unit isconfigured to be connected to the remaining ones of thevertically-extending main guide beams, and the stacking base unit andthe cutting unit are configured to be vertically movable along the mainguide rails.
 30. The 3D printer of claim 23, wherein the cutting devicefurther comprises: a housing configured to be connected to the one ormore legs; and a cutting tool configured to be connected to the housing,wherein the cutting tool configured to be connected to the housing isrotatable upward and downward around an axis parallel with the plane onwhich the links are rotatable.